It’s almost here! The 2022 World Cup kicks off on Sunday. Hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in the kickoff match on Sunday morning, with the United States beginning their campaign on Monday.
Despite the plethora of issues hanging over the World Cup like a dark cloud, there’s still reason to be excited about the tournament. It’s a delicate balance of holding Qatar accountable and highlighting their horrific treatment of marginalized groups, while still enjoying the world’s greatest sporting event.
After previewing each group at the World Cup, it’s time to dive into our overall predictions for the tournament. Ben Wright, Jonathan Slape, Chris Ivey, Andy Simmons, Lucas Panzica and Josh Young all make their picks for 2022 in Qatar.
Want to make your own picks? Join our Fotmob prediction challenge here.
World Cup Previews
GROUP A | GROUP B | GROUP C | GROUP D | GROUP E | GROUP F | GROUP G | GROUP H
Speedway Soccer World Cup preview show
Group predictions
There weren’t many surprises in our predictions for the group stages. All six members of Speedway Soccer who participated picked some combination of the Netherlands and Senegal to advance from Group A, France and Denmark to advance from Group D and Germany and Spain to advance from Group E. All six picked England to win Group B, with the United States advancing out of second.
Group F was the most divisive group in our poll. Four out of six voted for Belgium to win the group, with Canada and Croatia each receiving a vote. Group H was also a split opinion, with favorites Portugal only receiving two votes to win the group, and South Korea getting three nods as runner up.
United States predictions
Back on the world stage after missing out in 2014, expectations are mixed for the USMNT. While this is the most talented squad in program history, they’re young and have questions around their cohesion.
There are plenty of positive characteristics of this team. Their ability to win balls in midfield was the most popular attribute among Speedway members, as well as their new-look midfield.
“They have four central midfielders (Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Brenden Aaronson) who are extremely effective at different things,” said Josh Young. “You can do a lot with different three-man combinations of those guys.”
Center back and striker were unanimous as the primary issues with the squad, as well as their ability to create against a packed defense.
“The U.S. struggled against Concacaf opponents who sat deep in qualifying,” said Ben Wright. “They’ll get a lot of that against Wales and Iran, but at a much higher level. Other than Walker Zimmerman, there are still questions at center back, especially when dealing with pace. And we don’t even know who the best striker is. There’s a good chance he’s not even on the roster.”
All six Speedway members picked the US to advance from Group B, behind England but finishing ahead of Wales and Iran. Four predicted them to lose in the Round of 16, while the other two picked a Quarterfinal exit.
Individual predictions
Andy Simmons
Winner: Brazil 🇧🇷
Runner-up: France 🇫🇷
Dark Horse: Switzerland 🇨🇭
Biggest disappointment: Mexico 🇲🇽
Golden Ball: Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷
Golden Boot: Neymar 🇧🇷
Best Young Player: Bukayo Saka 🏴
Storyline to watch: First, every group match for the United States and second, Messi and Ronaldo’s final World Cup and how far Argentina and Portugal advance.
Ben Wright
Winner: Brazil 🇧🇷
Runner-up: Germany 🇩🇪
Dark Horse: Denmark 🇩🇰
Biggest disappointment: Portugal 🇵🇹
Golden Ball: Neymar 🇧🇷
Golden Boot: Lautaro Martínez 🇦🇷
Best Young Player: Jamal Musiala 🇩🇪
Storyline to watch: How France will deal with injuries.
Chris Ivey
Winner: Brazil 🇧🇷
Runner-up: France 🇫🇷
Dark Horse: Senegal 🇸🇳
Biggest disappointment: Portugal 🇵🇹
Golden Ball: Neymar 🇧🇷
Golden Boot: Neymar 🇧🇷
Best Young Player: Vinícius Jr. 🇧🇷
Storyline to watch: The injuries and the Fyre Fest nature of the tournament.
Jonathan Slape
Winner: Brazil 🇧🇷
Runner-up: France 🇫🇷
Dark Horse: Uruguay 🇺🇾
Biggest disappointment: Portugal 🇵🇹
Golden Ball: Neymar 🇧🇷
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷
Best Young Player: Antony 🇧🇷
Storyline to watch: The United States’ return to the World Cup with one of the youngest squads at the tournament.
Josh Young
Winner: Argentina 🇦🇷
Runner-up: France 🇫🇷
Dark Horse: Uruguay 🇺🇾
Biggest disappointment: Belgium 🇧🇪
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷
Best Young Player: Pedri 🇪🇸
Storyline to watch: Lionel Messi’s attempt to lift the trophy with Argentina.
Lucas Panzica
Winner: Brazil 🇧🇷
Runner-up: France 🇫🇷
Dark Horse: Netherlands 🇳🇱
Biggest disappointment: Portugal 🇵🇹
Golden Ball: Neymar 🇧🇷
Golden Boot: Neymar 🇧🇷
Best Young Player: Vinícius Jr. 🇧🇷
Storyline to watch: Messi and Ronaldo’s last ride.
Want to make your own bracket? Join our Fotmob predictor challenge here!
